The Best Tasting Protein Powders That Will Have You Reaching for More in 2024

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Protein powders are a convenient way to add more of this muscle building macronutrient into your diet. But when you hear the words “protein powder,” they often conjure up the image of an unappetizing, chalky, hard-to-swallow shake. Even though it might provide great results, there’s no way you would want to drink an awful tasting protein shake every day. In the same way the best diet plan is the one you can stick with, the best protein powder is the one that you actually enjoy drinking and can seamlessly integrate into your daily routine.

I’ve tested a wide variety of protein powders throughout my time as a certified sports nutrition coach, and I have my own favorites. But I know that my personal taste doesn’t necessarily translate to the broader population. So I assembled a group of my most trusted fitness and nutrition-oriented coworkers to help me try 50+ protein powders in a head-to-head competition, ranking each on a variety of factors related to taste, sweetness and texture. (XWerks Grow, Ghost Whey and Orgain Plant protein powders were some of our favorites.) I also consulted with a panel of experts, including registered dietitians and sports nutritionists, and put these protein formulas through Sport Illustrated Showcase’s unique whey and plant protein scoring systems (more on those in our methodology section). The scores are the number next to the "overall score" for each protein powder under the image we took while testing.

The final list of protein powders that we came up with are both packed with delicious flavor and contain the high-quality ingredients necessary to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. When spending your hard earned dollars on a supplement, I want you to find a product you’ll love. I evaluated the nutrition of each of these supplements, and I made sure to include both whey and vegan-based options for consumers with different dietary preferences in 2024.

About Our Scoring System

Products that we've tested for this article receive an overall score between 1 and 5, based on several categories weighted for importance. Scoring criteria for the best-tasting protein powders include flavor, texture and sweetness as judged by our testers, as well as protein source, protein per serving and price. Products with organic certifications, third-party testing and other quality indicators may receive additional points. You can learn more in the methodology section below the product reviews.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Tasting Protein Powder in 2024:

• Best Tasting Whey Protein Powder: XWerks Grow Whey Isolate
• Best Tasting Low-Carb Protein Powder: Legion Athletics Whey Protein
• Best Tasting Chocolate Protein Powder: Happy Viking Superfood Meal
• Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein
• Best Tasting Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Authentic Whey
• Best Tasting Gluten-Free Protein Powder: KOS Organic Plant Protein
• Best Tasting Plant-Based Protein Powder: Orgain Plant Protein
• Best Tasting Protein Powder for Beginners: Ghost Whey Protein
• Best Tasting Protein Powder with BCAAs: KOS Organic Plant Protein
• Best Tasting Protein Powder for Muscle Growth: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
• Best Tasting Vanilla Protein Powder: Legion Athletics French Vanilla Whey Protein
• Best Tasting Personalized Protein Powder: Gainful Personalized Protein Powder
• Runner Up: Cymbiotika Plant Protein

Best Tasting Whey Protein Powder: XWerks Grow Whey Isolate

Overall Score: 4.6/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 25 grams
• Nutrition facts: 110 calories, 25 grams protein, 1 gram carbs, 0 grams fats
• Protein source: Whey protein isolate
• Sweeteners: Natural flavoring and stevia
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Strawberry
• Subscription: Save 5%
• Price per serving: $1.97 (one time), $1.87 (subscription)

Why I picked it:

Our reviewers were in unanimous agreement: This protein powder is delicious, making it easy for us to score it as the best tasting protein powder. It received near-perfect scores for flavor across the board. “It’s rich and has an authentic chocolate taste,” writes tester Barry Bridges. “I really liked the taste of this one! It reminded me of chocolate milk, and the flavor didn't taste artificial,” says tester Chloe Sisson.

Testers also appreciated the smooth, creamy texture of the drink. “This is significantly creamier and tastier than any other protein powder I’ve tried, and there’s no grit,” says tester Taylor Rojek. “Creamy, but I do taste a tiny bit of texture. May mix better with milk,” says tester Rachael Harris.

We also liked its sweetness level, which comes courtesy of stevia—it’s not too overwhelming, but with a good amount of flavor. “Very sweet, but tastes as close to natural sugar as any sugar-alternative I've tasted,” tester Cory Kessler says. “There was a hint of stevia but it honestly didn't really bother me! The flavor was pretty natural tasting,” Sisson writes.

It also mixes fairly easily—we used a shaker bottle, but did need some more shaking than other brands we tried. A blender would be ideal to help it mix better. “This one does have some pockets of unmixed powder,” says tester Jordan Smith. “It would be better mixed in a blender.”

XWerks Grow is sourced from 100 percent grass-fed, pasture-raised cows from New Zealand, resulting in some of the best whey protein powder on the market. The whey is ultra-filtered to remove excess carbs (including lactose) and fats to create a high-quality, low carb and low-calorie protein isolate.

For more details, read our full XWerks Grow Whey Protein Isolate review.

What we love:

• Low carb and keto friendly
• 100 percent whey protein isolate
• No artificial sweeteners or colors

What to consider:

• High-quality, but pricey
• Strawberry flavor contains artificial flavors

Best Tasting Low-Carb Protein Powder: Legion Athletics Whey Protein

Overall Score: 4.6/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 22 grams
• Nutrition facts: 110 calories, 23 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fat
• Protein source: Whey protein isolate
• Sweeteners: Natural flavor, stevia leaf extract, monk fruit extract
• Flavors: Dutch Chocolate, French Vanilla, Birthday Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cocoa Cereal, Fruity Cereal, Honey Cereal, Cinnamon Cereal, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chocolate, Apple Pie, Banana Bread, Mocha Cappuccino, Pumpkin Pie, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Banana, Unflavored
• Subscription: Save 10%
• Price per serving: $2.00 (one time), $1.80 (subscription)

Why I picked it:

Legion Athletics makes some of the tastiest whey protein powders we've tried, while keeping the carb count low for those counting macros. Each serving of Legion Whey+ ranges from only 1.5 to three grams of carbs for all but one of their flavors (Honey Cereal has six grams of carbs per serving), and packs in 21–23 grams of protein. This is also a lower calorie protein shake, with only 100–130 calories per serving, depending on the flavor.

We love that this protein comes in a whopping 17 flavor options. For our test, we chose three flavors: Dutch Chocolate, Cinnamon Cereal and French Vanilla. “I really like the vanilla flavor—it tastes like a vanilla creamer!” writes tester Kayla Godfrey. “Tastes like sweetened milk; good vanilla flavor that reminds me of sugar-free vanilla yogurt,” writes Harris. Harris also loves the Cinnamon Cereal flavor, and says it's one of the only protein powders she's tried that she likes mixed with just water. The chocolate flavor also did not disappoint. "It's made with real cocoa, which was yummy, but it didn't taste as much like real chocolate as XWerks Grow chocolate flavor," says Harris.

While the flavor was good, this powder was more difficult to mix in a shaker bottle than others we tested. The powder was clumpy, even after shaking it two to three times as long as the other powders in our test. Testers noted the clumps in their shakes. However, once those were removed, they praised the shake’s creaminess. “Very smooth and creamy,” noted tester Emma Witman. Adding a blender ball to the shaker bottle helped, but mixing it in a blender gave it the smoothest consistency. 

Several also noted that this shake is significantly thicker than most other options on our list—excellent if you’re looking for a more substantial snack. We also noticed that this shake tends to get frothy when mixed vigorously or blended.

Testers were mixed on sweetness ratings, depending mostly on personal sweetness preference and whether they liked the sweeteners used or not. “Just the right amount of sweet, with minimal artificial taste,” writes tester Carlo Barajas. “I liked the sweetness level, but I didn't like the stevia flavor; leaves an aftertaste,” Harris adds, though she noted the stevia taste wasn't as strong in the Cinnamon Cereal flavor. “Starts out not sweet, but then gets a big kick of stevia,” adds Rojek.

Godfrey shares her own hack for using this powder: “I put this in coffee, and it tastes really good. Add a drop of cream and you are good to go!”

What we love:

• 17 flavors with several cereal inspired options
• High protein, but low in carbs and calories compared to most other protein blends
• Satisfaction guarantee that excludes the hassle of returning the product
• No gluten, added sugars or artificial ingredients such as preservatives or colors

What to consider:

• Legion Whey+ contains animal protein (though Legion Plant+ works for vegans and vegetarians)
• You might need a blender to get rid of the clumps

Best Tasting Chocolate Protein Powder: Happy Viking Superfood Meal

Overall Score: 3.2/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 20 grams
• Nutrition facts (Triple Chocolate flavor): 160 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of sugar and 14 grams of carbs
• Protein source: Yellow pea and brown rice
• Sweeteners: Cane sugar
• Flavors: Triple Chocolate, Cookies & Creme, Strawberry Smoothie, Vanilla Bean, Tropical Smoothie, Strawberry Smoothie, Greeña Colada
• Subscription: Save 25%
• Price per serving: $4 per serving on one-time purchases, $3 per serving with a subscription

Why I picked it:

Happy Viking Superfood Meal was created by tennis great Venus Williams, who credits plant-based superfoods with helping rejuvenate her tennis career after she was diagnosed with autoimmune disease.  According to Happy Viking, 93 percent of people who tried this product say it makes the best plant protein shakes they've ever tasted. We decided to see for ourselves.

While none of our testers pronounced it the best ever, two of the three who tried Happy Viking gave the Triple Chocolate flavor 5/5 for taste. "I enjoyed the Triple Chocolate and Iced Coffee flavors more than other protein powders I’ve tried in those flavors," said tester Ellie Baldini. "The Triple Chocolate had a subtle, nutty taste that I think would go really well blended with nut butter and spinach." Another tester, McNair Mitchener, said that of the four flavors he sampled, Triple Chocolate was his favorite.

The protein powder mix is 100 percent plant-based and free of soy, gluten and artificial ingredients. The nutrient profile is designed to mimic a full meal—with 21 vitamins and minerals, 20 grams of protein, 14 grams of carbs and five grams of fat—but with only 160 calories, it's more of a midday snack. 

Happy Viking is pricier than most of the protein supplements we've tried, but the formula includes prebiotic fiber, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals BCAAs and more. Also, you may be able to find a lower price on Amazon.

What we love:

• Our testers enjoyed the taste, and especially liked the chocolate flavor
• 20 grams of protein per serving with no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors
• Formula includes 21 vitamins and minerals, plus omega-3s, probiotics and prebiotics
• Five grams of dietary fiber per serving
• Has an overall 4.9/5 rating on the Happy Viking website with more than 500 reviews, and a 4.2/5 rating on Amazon with almost 2,000 reviews

What to consider:

• Formula uses cane sugar, so it's not as sweet as powders made with sweeteners like stevia (11)
• At $4 per serving, it's pricier than many of the other products featured here

Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein

Overall score: 4.2/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 24 grams
• Nutrition facts: 130 calories, 3 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams sugars
• Protein source: Rice and pea protein
• Sweeteners: Stevia
• Flavors: French Vanilla, Chocolate
• Subscription: Save 10% + free shipping
• Price per serving: $1.67 (one time purchase), $1.50 (for subscribers)

Why I picked it:

Sometimes following a vegan or plant-based lifestyle can make it difficult to get enough protein to support your activity. By combining rice and pea protein, this vegan protein powder by Transparent Labs provides a complete amino acid profile. By nature, pea protein is high in iron (4), which is beneficial for vegans and vegetarians who often have a higher rate of iron deficiency (5). Iron is crucial for supporting blood flow to muscles during workouts and recovery.

We tried the French Vanilla flavor of Transparent Labs Vegan protein. While the taste didn’t rank as high as the non-vegan protein powders we tried, testers did note that this powder tasted better than many other vegan options. “Best tasting vegan protein powder I've tried,” says tester Taylyn Washington-Harmon. Some noted that the flavor was not particularly natural. “Very artificial vanilla flavor,” Rojek writes, while Harris describes it as a “vague vanilla flavor.” 

The powder mixed fine in a blender bottle. Our testers said it was a little foamy immediately after mixing, but started to settle quickly after that. Testers docked the most points for this powder’s texture. Nearly every tester described it as being gritty or sandy—a common issue with plant-based protein powders. It was also quite sweet. “Too artificially sweet for me,” writes Smith, but for those with a sweet tooth, that should be a positive, not a negative.

What we love:

• Vegan friendly, plant-based protein
• Several testers said it was one of the best plant proteins they had tried
• Low calorie, low carb shake compared to many other plant-based alternatives

• No artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives

What to consider:

• Only available in Chocolate and Vanilla flavors
• Some reviewers describe the texture as grainy or chalky

Best Tasting Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Authentic Whey

Overall score: 4.2/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 24 grams
• Nutrition facts: 120 calories, 1 gram carbs, 1 gram sugar
• Protein source: Whey isolate and whey concentrate blend
• Sweeteners: Sucralose, stevia 
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Fruity Cereal Splash, Salted Chocolate Caramel, Orange Ice Cream
• Subscription: Save 10%
• Price per serving: $1.16 (one time purchase), $1.05 (subscribers)

Why I picked it:

Jacked Factory Authentic Whey Protein—our best-tasting protein powder for weight loss—has flavors that taste like desserts, but with only one gram of sugar per serving. If you’ve got a sweet tooth that's sabotaging your diet, a protein powder that offers Fruity Cereal Splash and Salted Chocolate Caramel may be exactly what you need. Out of nearly 300 reviews on Jacked Factory’s site, this protein earned a 4.8/5-star rating, with many reviews commenting on the taste.

I agree with the positive reviews on taste, and really enjoyed both the Chocolate and Vanilla flavors. They were classic, simple and tasted good. Surprisingly, I didn’t love the Fruity Cereal Splash. The flavor was a little too sweet for my taste (it’s sweetened with both sucralose and stevia).

One scoop of Jacked Factory Authentic Whey has just 120 calories and 24 grams of protein. This is a high amount of protein, which is a key nutrient for satiating your hunger without adding extra calories through sugar (6).

What we love:

• High amount of protein with low carb, calorie and sugar content
• Primarily sweetened with stevia, which is a natural sweetener
• Great tasting flavors, especially the classics Chocolate and Vanilla

What to consider:

• Some reviewers said the powder didn’t mix well in water
• Our tester found the powder to be too sweet (though sweetness preference is subjective)

Best Tasting Gluten-Free Protein Powder: KOS Organic Plant Protein

Overall score: 3.9/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 20 grams
• Nutrition facts: 160 calories, 9 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams sugars
• Protein source: Organic pea protein, organic flax seeds, organic quinoa, organic pumpkin seeds, organic chia seeds
• Sweeteners: Organic coconut sugar, organic stevia extract
• Flavors: Chocolate, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Chip Mint, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel Coffee, Vanilla, Unflavored
• Subscription: Save 10%
• Price per serving: $1.71 (one time purchase), $1.50 (for subscribers)

Why I picked it:

KOS Organic is a standout gluten-free protein powder thanks to its great taste and its well-rounded nutrient profile. The protein sources are plant based, and come from peas, flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and quinoa. KOS also includes digestive enzymes, a blend of organic fruits and veggies and even some added vitamins and minerals. 

I tried the Chocolate and Blueberry Muffin flavors, and really enjoyed them. They were less pea protein-forward than other vegan protein powders I've tried (which is a good thing). 

The drink tasted slightly gritty, which is common for pea protein, and was very sweet, which some customers will enjoy more than others. The biggest thing to note, in my opinion, is that this powder uses a two-scoop serving size, which is double the amount of most other protein powders. That makes it tough to mix fully—use a blender if at all possible. 

If you want to turn KOS plant protein into a meal replacement shake, I suggest blending the Blueberry Muffin flavor with milk, frozen blueberries and a spoonful of almond butter. Top your shake with sliced almonds, sliced bananas and cacao nibs to make it a really delicious smoothie bowl.

For more information, check out our KOS Organic Plant Protein review. 

What we love:

• Gluten-free 
• Six flavor options, including an Unflavored version that can be used in baking
• USDA Certified Organic
• No artificial sweeteners 

What to consider:

• Higher calorie and carb profile than whey proteins (which is normal for a plant-based protein powder)
• Contains tree nuts (coconut)

Best Tasting Plant-Based Protein Powder: Orgain Plant Protein

Overall score: 3.9/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 20–21 grams (depending on flavor)
• Nutrition facts: 140–190 calories, 7–16 grams of carbs, 4–5 grams of fat (depending on flavor)
• Protein source: Organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, organic chia seed
• Sweeteners: Organic stevia extract, erythritol 
• Flavors: Vanilla Bean, Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Chai Latte, Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt, Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Churro Caramel Swirl, Cookies 'n Cream, Fruity Cereal, Horchata, Iced Coffee, Peanut Butter, Strawberries & Cream, Vanilla Horchata, Natural Unsweetened
• Subscription: Subscribe and save 15%
• Price per serving: $1.90 (one time), $1.61 (subscription)

Why I picked it: 

Plant-based protein powders get a bad rap for their sometimes grittier texture or uncomfortable bloating feeling they can cause. Our testers generally ranked whey protein powders higher than plant-based versions for those exact reasons—although Orgain plant-based protein stood out from the rest.

Not only does this plant protein have delicious flavor options, but the texture is much smoother than any plant protein we've tried. Harris drinks a smoothie with the Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor regularly. "I blend Orgain with oat milk, frozen banana, frozen spinach and a big spoonful of almond butter," she says. "It's my mid-morning nectar, and I look forward to it every day." Another one of our testers drinks the Vanilla Bean flavor daily, and blends it with almond milk, frozen mixed berries, psyllium husk and a splash of orange juice. 

Contrary to the common complaint of bloating, both testers report that Orgain causes no uncomfortable side effects, and if anything, helps their digestion. "I have IBS, and considering how well I tolerate Orgain, I want to branch out and try some of the other flavors," Harris says.

One serving of this protein powder contains 20–21 grams of protein from organic peas, brown rice and chia seeds. Pea protein offers a multitude of health benefits, such as supporting heart health and immune function and being a good source of iron (2)(3). If you opt for the Orgain plant protein version with superfoods, you'll get servings of 11 vitamins and minerals, plus a veggie, berry and grass blend. 

For more info on this supplement, check out our Orgain Plant Protein review.

What we love:

• Complete source of protein from plant sources
• USDA Certified Organic
• Our testers love the taste, texture and mixability
• 15 flavors to choose from
• Available in many grocery stores

What to consider:

• Several flavors are higher in calories and carbs (even for plant protein powders)
• A two-pound tub has only 20 servings, so you'll need to order twice a month if you drink a serving a day

Best Tasting Protein Powder for Beginners: Ghost Whey Protein

Overall score: 4.1/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 25 grams
• Nutrition facts: 130 calories, 25 grams protein, 4 gram carbs, 1.5 grams fats
• Protein source: Whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate
• Sweeteners: Sucralose
• Flavors: Cinnabon, Oreo, Chips Ahoy, Nutter Butter, Coffee Ice Cream, Milk Chocolate, Fruity Cereal Milk, Peanut Butter Cereal Milk, Marshmallow Cereal Milk, Cereal Milk
• Subscription: Save 25%
• Price per serving: $1.73 (one time), $1.30 (subscription)

Why I picked it:

Ghost Whey Protein offers some of the best flavor choices we've ever seen. Chips Ahoy and Cinnabon flavor? Our testers were all over it. We chose this protein supplement as the best tasting protein for beginners because the flavors go down easy, and you can find the brand in most local GNC or athletic supplement stores for a relatively affordable price (under $2.00 a serving).

The first thing I noticed was that the protein powder smelled identical to when you walk by a Cinnabon store bakery at the mall. When I took a sip, it was uncanny how much it tasted like a Cinnabon cinnamon roll, and they somehow even nailed the cream cheese icing flavor. Our testers had similar thoughts about the Oreo and Chips Ahoy flavors, although they didn't like the cookie chunks in those flavors when mixing them in a shaker bottle (blending is recommended).

Other than the cookie chunks in certain flavors, Ghost whey protein mixes really well with minimal clumping. I used a blender with almond milk, and really liked the smooth texture. The shake came out great with zero clumping, and it was awesome to see the tiny specks of cinnamon powder within the shake.

While this product definitely is sweet (it's sweetened with sucralose), it's not too overbearing, especially due to the spice from the cinnamon. This probably wouldn't be a protein I would use daily, but it would be perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

What we love:

• Sold by most supplement stores, including GNC and Amazon
• Flavors inspired by cookies and cereals
• High protein per serving (25 grams) with fairly low calories (around 130 calories for most flavors)

What to consider:

• Uses artificial flavors and sweeteners
• No basic flavors available like vanilla or strawberry

Best Tasting Protein Powder with BCAAs: KOS Organic Plant Protein

Overall score: 3.9/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 20 grams
• Nutrition facts: 160 calories, 9 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams sugars
• Protein source: Organic pea protein, organic flax seeds, organic quinoa, organic pumpkin seeds, organic chia seeds
• Sweeteners: Organic coconut sugar, organic stevia extract
• Flavors: Chocolate, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Chip Mint, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel Coffee, Vanilla, Unflavored
• Subscription: Save 10%
• Price per serving: $1.71 (one time purchase), $1.50 (for subscribers)

Why I picked it:

If you're looking for a plant-based protein powder that tastes great and can help you make gains in the gym, KOS Organic Superfood Protein is an intriguing option. It's our pick for the best tasting protein powder with BCAAs. This powder uses pea protein isolate, which contains branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) (8), specifically, leucine, isoleucine and valine. Studies show that consuming pea protein may maximize muscle gains during resistance training (9). This is because BCAAs play an important role in muscle growth and preventing muscle mass breakdown (10). In fact, a recent study following men through 12 weeks of resistance training while consuming either pea protein, whey protein or a placebo found the pea protein just as effective as whey in building muscle mass (9).

I've tried the Blueberry Muffin flavor, which I liked in part because it didn't have quite the same distinctive pea-protein taste as other plant-based powders. I found the texture a little bit gritty, and it had a lot of sweetness (maybe too much for some palates). Reviewer Andrea B. writes on Amazon: "It tastes great and is super easy to drink." Amazon reviewer Sammy S. calls the Vanilla flavor delicious and adds: "I didn't have any gut distress, which was a huge relief!"

What we love:

• Pea protein source contains BCAAs
• Made without gluten or soy
• No artificial sweeteners

What to consider:

• Has seven grams total fat per serving
• May have a smoother texture when blended as a smoothie

Best Tasting Protein Powder for Muscle Growth: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Overall score: 4.2/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 53 grams
• Nutrition facts: 790 calories, 110 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams sugar, 14 grams fat
• Protein source: Whey protein concentrate
• Sweeteners: Stevia extract
• Flavors: Chocolate Glaze Donut, Sweet Vanilla
• Subscription: Save $8 + free shipping
• Price per serving: $5.13 (one time purchase), $4.62 (for subscribers)

Why I picked it:

Protein is essential for muscle growth, and one serving of Transparent Labs Mass Gainer nets you 53 grams (12). At 790 calories per serving, this formula is designed for those who need extra protein while building muscle or those who struggle to gain weight and have difficulty consuming enough calories through food alone. It's not technically a meal replacement shake, but could be if you added vitamins and minerals. This mass gainer is also ideal for athletes who train multiple times a day and need a quick, easy way to take in additional calories and nutrients. 

If you are struggling to gain weight, I would start by taking a single scoop of this product for a few weeks in addition to your regular meals. This would add an additional 395 calories and 27 grams of protein per day. After a few weeks, assess if you need the full two-scoop serving size to put on weight. 

The product does come in only two flavors, but Transparent Labs is known for its delicious protein supplements, and you can’t go wrong with classics like Chocolate Glazed Donut and Vanilla. “This is pretty good. It tastes similar to a chocolate donut you’d get at a gas station,” Smith writes. However Rojek says, “I wanted this to taste AMAZING, given the calorie content, but it was honestly not quite there. It has a slight saltiness to it and actually tastes like a donut, but isn't perfect.”

Considering the two-scoop, 194-gram serving size, this protein powder mixed well. There were some white specks in the finished product, but nothing major. The resulting shake is smooth and creamy, with testers ranking it high on texture. Testers also gave it high marks for sweetness. “This one was sweet, but it didn’t taste too much like artificial sweetener,” Smith says. 

What we love:

• High protein content (about double the amount of most protein powders) for gym-goers, athletes and bodybuilders attempting to bulk up
• No artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors
• 100 percent grass-fed whey concentrate
• Could double as a meal replacement when blended with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables (like spinach, berries, banana, etc.)

What to consider:

• Not suitable for individuals looking for a low-calorie shake option
• Only two flavor options currently available

Best Tasting Vanilla Protein Powder: Legion Athletics French Vanilla Whey Protein

Overall score: 4.6/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 22 grams
• Nutrition facts: 100 calories, 3 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram sugar
• Protein source: Whey protein isolate
• Sweeteners: Stevia extract
• Flavors: French Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Birthday Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cocoa Cereal, Fruity Cereal, Honey Cereal, Cinnamon Cereal, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chocolate, Apple Pie, Banana Bread, Mocha Cappuccino, Pumpkin Pie, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Banana, Unflavored
• Subscription: Save 10%
• Price: $2.00 (one time purchase), $1.80 (for subscribers)

Why I picked it:

If you love the taste of vanilla bean, I suggest the French Vanilla flavor of Legion Whey+. In addition to a 4.7/5-star rating from 9,500+ reviews and excellent word-of-mouth online, our testers really enjoyed it. “This one tasted very creamy, and has a sweet vanilla flavor,” Smith writes. “Tastes like sweetened condensed milk," says Harris. "It has a good vanilla flavor that reminds me of sugar-free vanilla yogurt." 

Testers also praised the texture. “Very smooth and creamy,” says Witman. “It has a frothy, creamy texture that's perfect in my opinion,” Barajas writes. He also praised the sweetness of this shake: “Just the right amount of sweet, with minimal artificial taste.” 

For the creamiest consistency, use a blender to mix the powder. I tried it first in a standard blender bottle, and it still had some clumping after shaking it for a while. Blending the powder with water thoroughly mixed it. 

Legion Whey+ is a grass-fed whey protein isolate formula that delivers all the essential amino acids while being free from artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors (13). There are 17 different flavors, and you won’t find artificial sugars among the ingredient list because Legion is sweetened with stevia leaf extract. 

What we love:

• No hassle, no return needed satisfaction guarantee
• Made with 100 percent whey protein isolate
• No artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors

What to consider:

• High-quality supplement, but pricey
• Low calorie and low carb formula is not ideal for people looking to bulk

Best Tasting Personalized Protein Powder: Gainful Personalized Protein Powder

Get 20% off your first order of Gainful

Overall score: 4.6/5

Key features and specs:

• Protein per serving: 19-27 grams (based on personalization)
• Nutrition facts: Varies depending on selected formula (whey, keto or plant-based)
• Protein source: Options include micellar casein, whey protein concentrate and isolate, or organic yellow pea, rice and oats
• Sweeteners: Organic monkfruit, stevia leaf extract
• Flavors: Caffé Mocha, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Toast, Cookies & Cream, Matcha Green Tea, Madagascar Vanilla, Strawberry Cream, Sea Salt Caramel
• Subscription: Subscription only, ships automatically
• Price per serving: $3.21

Why I picked it:

Gainful is a supplement brand that personalizes its products to align with your specific fitness and dietary needs based on a quiz you take prior to purchase. This process takes the guesswork out of shopping for protein powder. 

Every Gainful subscription includes free one-on-one access to a registered dietitian who can answer any questions you may have. Additionally, this protein supplement is great for people who follow specific ways of eating such as dairy-free, keto or plant-based diets, so there's a place for everyone to start.

Gainful’s approach to protein powder flavors is unique: You’ll be sent a tub of unflavored powder with your choice of single-serving Flavor Boosts. This means that you can get a variety of flavors without committing to a full tub of any. 

Our reviewers sampled the Caffe Mocha, which Witman described as “subtle, not too sweet.” The coffee flavoring didn’t come through very strongly; in fact, most reviewers described the flavor as being pleasant, but not identifiable. 

The protein powder mixed easily, though the flavor packet didn’t dissolve quite as thoroughly (tasters could still identify some specks). It got rave reviews for texture, with multiple reviewers writing that it’s smooth with no grit. It also scored well for sweetness. “I like that it's not too sweet, and there’s no bad aftertaste,” Witman writes. 

For more information, check out our Gainful Protein Powder review. 

What we love:

• Personalized to your needs
• Every Gainful subscription includes free one-on-one access to a registered dietitian
• No artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors

What to consider:

• Expensive ($45 dollars for 14 servings)
• Subscription-only based service

Runner Up: Cymbiotika Plant Protein

Taste preferences vary from person to person, and there were a few protein powders that polarized our testers. The main one was Cymbiotka. You may have heard of the plant-based protein powder from this supplement and wellness brand since it's popular with influencers. 

We didn't include it on our list because it has an earthy vanilla flavor that some testers loved and some hated. One summarized the taste profile as vanilla greens/mushroom flavor. "This is wild to wrap my head around because the initial flavor is smooth like vanilla, but the aftertaste becomes more of the earthy flavors of mushrooms and greens powders," he said. 

If you enjoy less-sweet, earthy flavors (we're thinking of those who order mushroom-infused lattes), this protein should be right up your alley. Plus, it offers an excellent nutrient profile of 20 grams of protein with only 130 calories, five grams of carbs and 2.5 grams of fat per serving. And in addition to eight vitamins and minerals, this shake includes five wellness blends that include raw greens, a mushroom complex, fiber, digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Our tester did notice extra gas and bloating the day after trying Cymbiotika for the first time, but that's a normal (and usually temporary) response to upping your fiber intake. 

At $3.67 per serving, Cymbiotika plant protein is not for those on a tight budget, but it may be worthwhile for people who want an all-in-one protein, probiotic, fiber and greens supplement. We (and the brand) recommend adding a little melted honey to your shake since the formula is much less sweet than you may be used to from protein supplements. 

Learn more about this brand in our Cymbiotika supplements review.

Methodology: How We Chose the Best Tasting Protein Powders

We chose products for our list of the best tasting protein powders based on a number of factors reflected in our whey protein and plant protein scoring methodologies. 

Our team also organized in-person testing, where our editors sampled 50+ protein powders and ranked them in four subjective categories—taste, mixability, texture and sweetness—with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best. While those scores didn't factor into each protein powder's overall score, the process gave us hands-on experience drinking these protein shakes and insight into how they taste.

Our scoring methodologies provide a more objective measure of each protein powder. They rate protein powders for the following factors:

• Protein source: Whey protein is available as a concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate or whey blend. We rank whey isolates and hydrolysates higher than concentrates because they are easier to digest and filtered to remove carbs and fat. Common sources of plant protein are soy, pea, hemp, brown rice, lentil, chia seed, pumpkin seed and plant blends. We look for plant protein sources that yield a high amount of protein per serving.
• Complete protein (plant protein only): The best plant-based proteins are complete protein sources—containing all nine essential amino acids.
• Sweeteners: We consider research about common sweeteners when assessing which protein powder formulas provide the least health risks to users.
• Macronutrient calories per serving: We prioritize protein powders with the most calories from protein (as opposed to calories from fat or carbs).
• Total protein per serving: While everyone has varying protein needs, 25-30 grams of protein is generally recommended with each snack or meal. This amount is also the best value per serving of protein powder.
• Price per gram of protein: While price isn't always indicative of quality or value, we do reward protein powders that are more affordable, though we give this category less weight than the others.
• Bonus credits: Protein powders can earn small bumps in their overall score by having third-party testing credentials, no proprietary blends, an organic certification and sustainable packaging.

We also received input from our panel of expert contributors, which includes registered dietitians and highly credentialed experts in sports nutrition and exercise science. 

Learn more about our nutrition and supplement review process, our whey protein powder scoring methodology and our plant protein powder scoring methodology.

Who Should Use Protein Powder?

If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have time to spend on hours of meal prep every week, protein powder can be a great option for you, says registered dietitian Emily Tills. “Maybe throw it in with a little bit of milk, or make a shake out of it. Add frozen fruit with a scoop of protein powder, some peanut butter, maybe some chia seeds and flax seeds to make a satisfying breakfast.”

It’s also an excellent option for athletes who are serious about timing their nutrition correctly. If you’re a powerlifter who’s looking to build muscle as fast as possible, protein powder can help you to consume a significant amount of protein quickly after your workout. Tills cites a powerlifter client as an example. “We're really looking at that two-hour anabolic window where we want to make sure that she's recovering and building muscle as fast as she can (14)." Although it was once believed that the anabolic window was only 30 minutes, the window is much longer than we thought (15). 30–40 grams of protein within a couple hours of training seems to be optimal. 

One thing Tills wants to point out, however, is that protein powder should not be a replacement for whole-food nutrition sources in your diet. “It's a supplement. We want it to supplement a healthy diet, not be the replacement for your entire protein intake for the day or anything like that.”

Why Is Choosing the Best Tasting Protein Powder Important?

It’s simple, but it’s true: It’s much easier to consistently eat things that we think taste good. “Taste is important in a protein powder because we want to like the food that we're having,” Tills says. “We also want to feel satisfied, too. If you're spending all this money on, let's say, a really expensive protein powder, and it doesn't taste good, then you're wasting money, and you're probably less likely to utilize it and get enough of it in. So you want to make sure that it's palatable and enjoyable, that you feel satisfied and you're getting all the benefits out of it.”

How Much Protein Do I Need?

How much protein you need can vary widely based on your sex, age, body size and physical activity. And even with these differences taken into account, some experts do disagree on the right amount of protein to consume daily.

Tills recommends that most people start by consuming half a gram of protein per pound of body weight—so, a 150-pound person would consume a minimum of 75 grams of protein per day. “That's the bare minimum. I sometimes like my clients to go up to about 100 grams or so,” she says. “Athletes are definitely going to need more, but also, that's going to be sports dependent. Men typically need a little bit more protein as they carry more muscle mass on their bodies.” But she points out these numbers can also vary based on overall goals. “If they're looking to lose weight and also feel satisfied, maybe they have food cravings or food addiction or something like that, then protein is really going to be helpful with keeping them fuller for longer. It's the most satiating nutrient that we have.”

Registered dietitian and kidney health specialist Melanie Betz, RD puts the bar lower. “The general recommendation is only 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight,” she says. For a 150-pound person, this shakes out to be 55 grams of protein per day. “But that can vary significantly based on different things. If you’re 65 or older, or if you were acutely ill or have some medical conditions, you might have higher protein needs. And for kidney disease, the recommendation is quite a bit lower than that—all the way down to, we'll say, like 0.6 grams per kilogram of body weight.”

Who Should Avoid Protein Powder?

People who have a history of kidney stones or kidney disease should be careful about how much protein they consume, Betz says. “High-protein diets are hands-down associated with a higher risk of stones. But that doesn't mean that everyone who has a high protein diet is going to get stones; it's really only an issue if you are susceptible to stones. And unfortunately, there's really no way to know that until you get stones,” she says. 

"Of course, that doesn’t mean that consuming protein powder itself will increase your risk of kidney stones—it’s more about how your overall protein consumption fits into your diet." It is also important to note that numerous studies have found that for healthy adults, a higher protein intake and diet is safe (16).

If you have any history of kidney issues, it’s best to talk to your doctor before upping your protein intake or adding protein powder to your diet.

How to Choose the Best Tasting Protein Powder For You

There are several factors to consider when choosing a tasty protein powder that you're excited to drink:

• Whether you’re looking for a whey-based (milk-based) or plant-based protein powder to accommodate your personal dietary preferences
• Flavors you would enjoy
• Whether or not the product contains any artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners (if you prefer to avoid them)
• Your budget—there's no need to break the bank when there are plenty of options that can fit your budget and your taste buds

Best Tasting Protein Powder FAQs

How do you take protein powder if you hate the taste?

With the amount of protein powders and flavor options available, you would be hard pressed not to find at least one option you enjoy. However, if protein powder really isn’t your thing, then I do have a few tips to help the taste. The first is mixing the powder with something other than water, such as milk or juice. Mixing the powder with milk, whether regular or plant based, makes a creamier protein shake that tastes good. You could also try one of my personal favorites: mixing vanilla protein powder with orange juice. It’s delicious and reminiscent of a creamsicle.

Another great option is turning your shake into a protein smoothie by adding additional ingredients like berries, bananas or peanut butter to improve the taste. Lastly, make sure that your protein powder is mixed well. Using a blender or shaker bottle is definitely superior to mixing with a spoon for optimal taste and consistency.

Can I use protein powder in other ways besides a protein shake?

In addition to the classic tasty protein shake, protein powder is a versatile ingredient you can include in a number of different recipes. The first recipe that comes to mind is protein overnight oats. This is when you combine a scoop of protein powder, half a cup of oats, milk and any additional ingredients (chocolate chips, peanut butter, fruit, nuts, etc.) in a jar and let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious breakfast that’s ready to grab and go. Other breakfast items that are a good fit for protein powder include pancakes, waffles and even muffins. Just add a scoop or two into the mix, and you’re good to go.

Related Post: How To Use Protein Powder

Can you get protein powder with no taste?

Kind of. There are a variety of unflavored protein powders on the market, which have no sweeteners or flavors added. These are a great choice to add to smoothies and recipes that don’t need additional taste. However, they aren’t flavorless—they will still taste like whatever protein they’re made of. 

Final Thoughts

Protein powder is a safe and effective tool to help you add some extra protein into your diet. If it tastes great, you’re more likely to use it, and it can be a fantastic option to choose when having a craving for something sweet. After testing over 50 different protein powders, our favorites included XWerks Grow protein powder (chocolate flavor), Orgain plant-based protein powder and Ghost Whey protein powder, but we'd reach for any of the products on our list.

For more information about the benefits of protein, check out our article on the best protein powders.

Expert Contributors

Chris Mohr, RD and Ph.D.

Mohr is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in exercise physiology. He has worked with athletes ranging from NFL players to WWE wrestlers, along with celebrities and executives worldwide. He has been a featured speaker at many conferences around the world.

Mike Roberts, Ph.D.

Roberts is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Auburn University where he serves as the Director for the Nutrabolt Applied and Molecular Physiology Lab. He currently has over 190 publications in several preeminent physiology and nutrition journals, serves in senior editor roles for various physiology journals and has given numerous lectures at regional, national and international scientific conferences and venues.

Eddie Jo, Ph.D.

Jo is a professor of exercise physiology and the director of the Cal Poly Pomona Human Performance Research Lab. His research serves to innovate and advance the application of exercise training methodologies, nutrient intake and technologies for the optimization of human health and performance, energy metabolism, body composition and endocrine function.

Tim Ziegenfuss, PhD, CSCS, FISSN

Ziegenfuss is a standout in the world of sports nutrition and exercise science, bolstered by graduate degrees from Purdue University and Kent State University. Beyond academia, he serves as a Past President and Fellow of The International Society of Sports Nutrition. As CEO of The Center for Applied Health Sciences, his focus is overseeing innovative research with real-world impact and guiding product ideation and creation for major retailers all around the world.

Jenevieve Roper, Ph.D, CSCS

Roper is an Associate Professor of Health and Human Sciences at Loyola Marymount University. She received her Ph.D. in Physical Education, Sports and Exercise Science in 2015 from the University of New Mexico, with a specialization in Exercise Science and Biomechanics. She currently teaches a wide variety of courses, including Nutrition, Kinesiology and Scientific Principles of Strength & Conditioning.

Emily Tills, RD and nutrition coach

Melanie Betz, RD and kidney health specialist

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.